How to Prevent Gout Flares During the Holidays

The winter holidays bring some of life’s simplest, yet greatest joys—quality time with loved ones, a break from our day-to-day routines and fun social gatherings. But because eating and drinking are a key part of so many celebrations, the season can be especially stressful for people who suffer with gout flares.1 Before you kick off your winter festivities this year, review these tips for preventing gout flares during the holidays. Planning ahead will help you avoid gout attacks. 

 

Eat and drink in moderation

Many of us associate the holidays with “special occasion” foods, which can be loaded with saturated fat and extra calories. If you suffer with gout attacks, it’s important to know which of these traditional foods and drinks increase your risk of flares. For many who suffer with the disease, red meat, alcoholic beverages and sweets are common gout attack triggers. Sticking to a gout-friendly diet this season may lower the risk of recurring gout flares.1 You might also consider one or more of these tips:

 

Make a plan.2

If you are visiting someone else’s house for a gathering or meal, ask your host if it’s okay to bring a gout-friendly appetizer or side dish to share. Chances are, he or she will appreciate the gesture and you can feel good knowing that you will have something to enjoy that won’t put you at risk for a gout attack.

Don’t show up hungry.2

If you arrive to a get-together already starving, you may be more likely to make food choices that could lead to a gout flare.2 To avoid this situation, eat a healthy, fiber-rich meal beforehand and drink plenty of water throughout the day.2 (If you make unhealthy decisions in spite of your efforts, return to your healthy habits as soon as you can.)

Put fun first and food second.2

Imagine you’re at a dinner party with friends or family. Although the meal may be the main reason you’re getting together, food doesn’t necessarily have to be the center of attention. To keep the fun conversations going after you finish eating, invite your fellow diners to join you for a walk around the block.2 Too cold outside for a stroll? Organize a lively game like charades or spoons. Want to score brownie points with your host? Ask if you can help with the dishes. 

 

Another Way to Prevent Gout Flares: Focus on the season

Regardless of which holiday you celebrate, be sure to honor what makes it special for you. At some point in the season, take time to connect with friends and loved ones—even if it’s just for a quick cup of coffee or a walk. Try to avoid putting pressure on yourself and others to create a “perfect” holiday. If something doesn’t go according to plan, take a deep breath and let it go. You’ll be more relaxed and so will others around you.

 

Be kind to yourself

The hustle and bustle of the holidays is part of the fun, but there is a fine line between having a blast and feeling burned out. Stress has been shown to increase the risk of gout attacks, so make a point to take time out for yourself when you can.3 Give yourself permission to say “no” once in a while (easier said than done, of course), and do your best to get enough rest at night.

 

Make a gout management plan for 2023

If you have been suffering with gout flares lately, ask your doctor to help you make a gout management plan for 2023. To start the conversation, complete and print out this Doctor Visit Form before your next appointment. Urate-lowering treatment (ULT) may help, and you might also ask your doctor about Colchicine therapy to prevent gout flares.4-6 Colchicine, the active ingredient in Mitigare® (Colchicine) 0.6mg Capsules and Generic Colchicine Capsules, has been clinically proven to reduce the frequency and intensity of gout flares.5-7 If Colchicine is right for you, consider enrolling in the True Blue Savings Program. Eligible patients pay as little as $0 for the first 30 days for Mitigare® or Generic Colchicine Capsules and get $5 refills.* To learn more about gout flare prevention, Mitigare®, Generic Colchicine Capsules and the True Blue Savings Program, visit Mitigare.com

 

*For all eligible patients 18 years and older who are legal residents of the United States or Puerto Rico. First 30 days are as little as $0 only for eligible patients. Maximum savings of $65 on first fill and $50 on refills. Please see complete Terms and Conditions available at Mitigare.com.

Mitigare® is a registered trademark of Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.

Colchicine 0.6 mg capsules are contraindicated in patients with renal or hepatic impairment who are currently prescribed drugs that inhibit both P-gp and CYP3A4. Combining these dual inhibitors with colchicine in patients with renal or hepatic impairment has resulted in life-threatening or fatal colchicine toxicity. Patients with both renal and hepatic impairment should not be given Mitigare®.

Fatal overdoses have been reported with colchicine in adults and children. Keep Mitigare® out of the reach of children.

Blood dyscrasias such as myelosuppression, leukopenia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia and aplastic anemia have been reported with colchicine used in therapeutic doses.

Monitor for toxicity and, if present, consider temporary interruption or discontinuation of colchicine.

Drug interaction with dual P-gp and CYP3A4 inhibitors: Co-administration of colchicine with dual P-gp and CYP3A4 inhibitors has resulted in life-threatening interactions and death.

Neuromuscular toxicity and rhabdomyolysis may occur with chronic treatment with colchicine in therapeutic doses, especially in combination with other drugs known to cause this effect. Patients with impaired renal function and elderly patients (including those with normal renal and hepatic function) are at increased risk. Consider temporary interruption or discontinuation of Mitigare®.

The most commonly reported adverse reactions with colchicine are gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Please see the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for Mitigare® for complete product details.

NOTE: This article was not written by a medical professional and is not intended to substitute for the guidance of a physician. These are not Hikma’s recommendations for gout flare prevention, but rather facts and data collected from various reliable medical sources. For a full list of resources and their attributing links, see below.

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References

  1. Gout diet: What’s allowed, what’s not. Mayo Clinic website. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/gout-diet/art-20048524. Accessed October 13, 2022.
  2. Navigating Holiday Diet Restrictions. Northwestern Medicine website. Available at: https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/nutrition/navigating-holiday-diet-restrictions. Accessed October 12, 2022.
  3. Avoid Your Gout Triggers to Avoid Sudden Flare-ups. Healthline website. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/gout-triggers. Accessed October 17, 2022.
  4. Aung T, Myung G, Fitzgerald JD. Treatment approaches and adherence to urate-lowering therapy for patients with gout. Patients Prefer Adherence. 2017;11:795-800.
  5. Borstad GC, Bryant LR, Scroggie DA. Harris MD, Alloway JA. Colchicine for prophylaxis of acute flares when initiating allopurinol for chronic gouty arthritis. J Rheumatol. 2004 Dec;31(12):2429-2432.
  6. Yu TF, Gutman AB. Efficacy of colchicine prophylaxis in gout. Prevention of recurrent gouty arthritis over a mean period of five years in 208 gouty subjects. Ann Intern Med. 1961;55:179-192.
  7. Mitigare® (Colchicine) 0.6mg Capsules [prescribing information]. Columbus, OH: West-Ward Columbus, Inc.; 2019.

Important Safety Information for Mitigare® (colchicine) 0.6 mg capsules

  • Colchicine 0.6 mg capsules are contraindicated in patients with renal or hepatic impairment who are currently prescribed drugs that inhibit both P-gp and CYP3A4. Combining these dual inhibitors with colchicine in patients with renal or hepatic impairment has resulted in life-threatening or fatal colchicine toxicity. Patients with both renal and hepatic impairment should not be given Mitigare®.
  • Fatal overdoses have been reported with colchicine in adults and children. Keep Mitigare® out of the reach of children.
  • Blood dyscrasias such as myelosuppression, leukopenia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, and aplastic anemia have been reported with colchicine used in therapeutic doses.
  • Monitor for toxicity and if present consider temporary interruption or discontinuation of colchicine.
  • Drug interaction with dual P-gp and CYP3A4 inhibitors: Co-administration of colchicine with dual P-gp and CYP3A4 inhibitors has resulted in life-threatening interactions and death.
  • Neuromuscular toxicity and rhabdomyolysis may occur with chronic treatment with colchicine in therapeutic doses, especially in combination with other drugs known to cause this effect. Patients with impaired renal function and elderly patients (including those with normal renal and hepatic function) are at increased risk. Consider temporary interruption or discontinuation of Mitigare®.
  • The most commonly reported adverse reactions with colchicine are gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Indication

Mitigare® is indicated for prophylaxis of gout flares in adults. The safety and effectiveness of Mitigare for acute treatment of gout flares during prophylaxis has not been studied.

Mitigare® is not an analgesic medication and should not be used to treat pain from other causes.

For Full Prescribing Information please CLICK HERE and for Medication Guide CLICK HERE.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.

Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Manufactured by: West-Ward Columbus Inc., Columbus, OH 43228

Important Safety Information for Mitigare® (colchicine) 0.6 mg capsules

  • Colchicine 0.6 mg capsules are contraindicated in patients with renal or hepatic impairment who are currently prescribed drugs that inhibit both P-gp and CYP3A4.